While the Ministry of Labour has been unable to establish actual unemployment levels in Guyana, Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul says that whatever unemployment levels exist is a result of persons not possessing the skill sets that are in high demand.
Yearly, students who graduate from the University of Guyana (UG) with Degrees in Public Management, Sociology, and Social Work complain that they experience difficulties finding jobs which match their area of study, the minister noted, and added that those who studied Mathematics and Natural Sciences are quickly absorbed into the labour force.
He made these remarks on Wednesday during a press conference at which he also told reporters that the ministry’s inability to calculate the actual level of unemployment is a result of the fact that people are not registering into the ministry’s Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency, and he said that registering with the agency will better enable the ministry to determine unemployment levels, while helping the unemployed find jobs.
Gopaul shared that as of November 29th approximately 4,000 persons had registered with the agency, which then helped about 3000 of them to get work. “More and more persons are clamouring to the ministry for workers,” he said, while explaining that there are many sectors in Guyana which are actually experiencing a shortage of employees.
“More and more jobs are available, but fewer people (trained in the areas with vacancies) are available,” he told reporters. He said that in the last ten or so decades “a lot of persons have graduated in Business, Sociology and other Social Sciences but cannot find jobs because employment in these areas is limited.” In contrast, he said that persons who graduated in the areas of Natural Sciences and other related areas find jobs very easily.
Gopaul said that on many occasions the government has advocated for students to opt to enter study fields which will eventually enable them to find employment after they graduate. The university, he suggested, needs to consider hiring counselors to guide students into an area of study that will eventually benefit them and society.
One initiative that is helping, he said, is the work being done by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). All of the persons trained by the BIT are provided with skills which are in high demand, resulting in most of them finding employment soon after they finish their training, the minister said.
He further disclosed that 2,200 persons have been trained so far for the year via the BIT initiative in many areas, including engineering, masonry, block-making, and electrical installation, most of whom have found jobs. Some persons, particularly women, have also been given clerical skills and taught cosmetology.
He said that 447 of those trained were single parents, who after receiving their training, were given tools, materials and equipment to immediately start jobs, or to start their own initiative if they so choose.
Aside from government initiatives, he said that private entities are increasingly playing a role in training the professionals that are needed. The minister lauded Republic Bank for the role it plays in training its employees, which ensures that the banking sector, which is growing quickly, has a steady influx of competent employees. He also said that the Forestry Commission and Demerara Distillers Limited are to be commended for the Masters Training they offer.
He also alluded to agencies, such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, which offers scholarships to students who after completing their studies will go to work for the Commission. This initiative is particularly relevant considering the rate at which Guyana’s gold sector is developing.
BK International and GuySuCo, he said, have also been helpful as they are avid participants in the BIT training sessions as they make available their equipment so that trainees can have hands-on experience.
